Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza_ Mastering the Playbook & Leader's Mindset

Thu, Jul 30, 2026

Video Transcript

It was, it was, it was a good moment.

I still have a long way to go.

I feel more comfortable, but I am nowhere near where I need to be, especially with learning the playbook, and I still need to go a lot longer and, and attack the playbook harder.

So I'm still ways away, but I feel like I'm more comfortable, uh, from day two, especially from day one.

Today's the most I've seen you correct, guys, not a jerk, just putting you in the right spots.

Is that just familiarity with the playbook that now that you know it, you can help some other guys more?

Yeah, and I think it also stems with the relationship everybody has with each other, especially you see OTAs and day one and even sometimes today and day two, it's very small sample size me one day, but there are a lot of times that, like I said, the offensive line would correct me, the running backs, tight ends, receivers, they would, they would help put me in place and so it's our relationship that we have that dynamic relationship where where we are able to hold each other.

Accountable, but not in a way of being demeaning or in a negative light in a positive , hey, we want to move it down, we want to move the ball and move the chains.

Hey, this is what I heard.

Hey, you know, maybe it's some confusion.

Let, let's clear it up on both ends .

You know, it's one thing to kind of like, you know, be around Max Crosby and see him on film and talk to him in the hallway, but how much different is it to now see him at practice on the sideline or go up against him.

To be able to go up against him.

I haven't actually had a rep against him, thankfully, but he is a great, he's a fantastic competitor, and the intellect that he's been able to give me and the advice because you've seen, everyone's seen how much he's run from his rookie year to now being the all-pro superstar that he is, the little bits of wisdom, and I understand that defensive end and quarterback are, are two different positions, but the mentality of attacking and being a leader of the team.

And growing within your career are the same.

And so I really look up to him and any bits of advice that he's given me I've taken to heart and I really do appreciate his leadership, not only on the defense, but on the offense and the special teams has benefited me a lot.